Summary

Our Score

7/10

Review Price free/subscription

Ever hear of this little something called the Eee PC? Yeah, us neither. Seriously though, as most of our readers probably know by now, the EeePC sparked a revolution and pretty much single-handedly created a whole new portable computer category: the netbook. People seem to like it.

Though there have been more entries than I care to count into this sector recently, and from most of the big players, there's still no end in sight to the new models arriving. The biggest of these is undoubtedly HP's much-anticipated Mini 1000, but meanwhile, we're taking a look at another Mini; specifically, the Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo Mini Ui 3520.
Nearly every netbook on the market uses an Intel Atom N270 CPU, the GMA950 graphics chip and features a similar set of outputs - Fujistu-Siemens' effort is little different. It also has the usual 1GB of RAM and utilises Windows XP, leaving only things like screen size, hard drive type/capacity and the physical build to distinguish between it and the rest of them.

An 8.9in 1,024 x 600 display puts the Amilo Mini into the same class as the Asus Eee PC 901, Dell's Inspiron Mini 9 and Acer Aspire One. In terms of build quality, it easily matches the best of these thanks to a remarkably solid feel with no sign of unwanted flex or creak. Similarly to the white Samsung NC10, the finish is the ideal balance between glossy and matte, being fingerprint resistant without appearing dull.
When it comes to looks, the Amilo Mini is quite distinctive; combining industrial angles with curves and semi-matte white with matte black finishes. It's a look that's very much a matter of taste and though few would call it stylish, it's not exactly ugly either.